Police nab suspects after metal heist

A rash of scrap metal thefts from an auto business came to an end Tuesday morning with the arrest of two suspects by the Turlock Police Department.

Bonander Truck, Auto and Trailer Group at 4520 N. Golden State Boulevard, had experienced thefts over the past week, according to the Turlock Police Department. The company had video footage of the thieves from surveillance camera, but didn’t get the upper hand on them until Tuesday.

Just before 2:30 a.m., an employee at the business contacted the police department to report two subjects in the process of stealing scrap metal from the yard.

The employee tried to hold the two men at bay by closing the gate on the yard and locking them in, but the two thieves rammed the fence and fled with the purloined metal in their vehicle.

The patrol units already en route were diverted towards Highway 99, where they were able to catch up to the fleeing vehicle and apprehend the suspects, near Taylor Road.

Cody Clayton, 19, and Rodney Burgess, 41, were taken into custody and charged with conspiracy, theft, and receiving stolen property.

The metal taken from Tuesday’s theft was recovered, according to the police department.